HONOLULU (AP) — Two men say they chained themselves to the Queen Liliuokalani statue at the state capitol to protest subtle racism against Native Hawaiians that started with the annexation of Hawaii in 1893. ADVERTISING HONOLULU (AP) — Two men
HONOLULU (AP) — Two men say they chained themselves to the Queen Liliuokalani statue at the state capitol to protest subtle racism against Native Hawaiians that started with the annexation of Hawaii in 1893.
Wearing loincloths and speaking to each other in Native Hawaiian, 28-year-old Kaipo Hanakahi and 23-year-old Kainoa Keana‘aina were chained to the statue Wednesday as passers-by took photos.
Hanakahi said unfair treatment of Hawaii’s indigenous population began with Queen Liliuokalani, and that the protest was a way to make people aware of the lack of political power Native Hawaiians have.
“That’s why we chained ourselves to the queen. It all started with her,” he said.
A handwritten sign at the statue’s base joined the words “Education” and “Desecration” with an unequal sign.
Hanakahi said racism caused the loss of Native Hawaiian land that now has people protesting the Thirty Meter Telescope.
About two dozen of those protesters arrived at the capitol later in the afternoon to wave signs.
The two men were allowed to stay and protest as long as they didn’t damage the statue.
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